I have already shown an example of the constant repetition of words found in some of Paul's writings (see “Repetition in Philippians 1 and 3”). Another place to locate such “exalted prose” is in the teachings of Jesus to his apostles found in John's Gospel. Below Chapter 16 is diagrammed so that you can visually see how Jesus presents his ideas and reinforces them by repetition.
Verse
1 I have said these things to you
2 an hour is coming
4 I have said these things to you
4 when their hour comes
4 I told you about them
5 I am going to him who sent me
5 where are you going
6 I have said these things to you
7 if I do not go away
7 if I go
10 I am going to the Father
10 you will see me no longer
12 I still have things to say to you
15 I said
16 a little while you will no longer see me
16 a little while and you will see me
17 a little while you will no longer see me
17 a little while you will see me
17 I am going to the Father
19 a little while you will no longer see me
19 a little while you will see me
20 joy
21 her hour has come
22 I will see you again
22 rejoice, joy
23 you will ask nothing
23 if you ask
24 you have not asked
24 ask
24 joy
25 I have said these things to you
25 the hour is coming
26 you will ask
26 I will ask
28 I am going to the Father
32 the hour is coming and now is
33 I have said this to you
Notice that in this case, the repetitions do not continue to progress forward in ideas until the end of the passage, as in Paul's writings in Philippians. Instead they circle back to the first statements to bring the speech to the point where it started. And the key phrases in verses 1-10 are repeated in reverse order in 28-33.
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